Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2017
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the functions of the Policing Authority has been taken over from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8052/17]
View answerI was very pleased to establish an independent Policing Authority. The Policing Authority represents one of the most significant developments in policing since the founding of the State. It constitutes a major element of the comprehensive programme of justice reform which is being delivered by the Government, aimed both at ensuring continuing confidence in the work of An Garda Síochána and at supporting the women and men of the service in the work they do on our behalf every day.
The Authority’s role is to oversee the performance of the Garda Síochána in relation to policing services, to promote public awareness of policing matters and to promote and support the continuous improvements in policing in Ireland. Its mission is to drive excellent policing through valued and effective oversight and governance.
As the Deputy is aware the statutory basis for the Policing Authority is the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 which amended the Garda Síochána Act 2005. Since its establishment, it has focused, as a matter of priority, on its functions which have statutory deadlines and reform significance.
Under the Act, the Commissioner reports to the Authority to facilitate its work and to provide any relevant material as requested. I am aware that the Authority has met frequently with the Commissioner and her senior team with 13 meetings held in 2016, five of which were held in public. Such public meetings serve to reassure the community about the performance of An Garda Síochána. Areas that have been highlighted in the discussions include:
- consideration of the O’Higgins Report and related matters;
- implementation of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme within An Garda Síochána;
- review of the Garda Protected Disclosure policy;
- plans to conduct a culture audit within An Garda Síochána;
- corporate governance arrangements and management structures within An Garda Síochána;
- redeployment of Garda members to front line policing; and
- arrangements for training and the professional development of members.
Also, since its inception, the Authority has approved a three-year Strategy for An Garda Síochána. It has also determined the policing priorities for 2017 which informed the content of the 2017 Policing Plan which it also approved. It has reviewed and issued recommendations on the Garda Protected Disclosure policy and also published a Code of Ethics that includes standards of conduct and practice for Garda members.
In addition to these functions, the Authority also took over the Department’s role in relation to Joint Policing Committees.
The Authority has responsibility for nominating persons for appointment by the Government to the posts of Garda Commissioner and Deputy Garda Commissioner; appointing persons to the ranks of Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner (and removing them for reasons related to policing services); and for appointing persons to senior positions within the Garda civilian staff.
All sections of the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 have now been commenced and I look forward to the Authority fulfilling its very important statutory functions into the future.
